A way to make socially distant greetings less awkward

👋 Today’s tip: To make sure you don’t spontaneously hug your friend when you greet them, plan what you’ll do instead.

When you haven’t seen someone in months, it’s hard not get caught up in the moment and embrace them—especially since, as our sister publication Zora notes, many of us are feeling a little touch-starved at this point. But it’s also awkward not knowing what to do instead.

A solution: Make a plan beforehand. Forge editor Michelle Woo recently attended her first socially-distanced hang, and found that she was a lot more comfortable once she and her friends had agreed upon some ground rules, including for how to say hello. If things feel weird at first, she writes, it’s okay to call out what’s happening: “I wish I could hug you, but I can’t.”

Woo’s suggestion: “As an alternative greeting, I personally enjoy jazz hands and squealing.” Safe—and cute—but go with whatever feels right to you. The key is to figure out what that is ahead of time.

✍️ We want to hear from you. Send us an email at forge@medium.com and let us know how you’re greeting friends now that hugs are off the table. We may feature some of our favorite answers on Forge’s Instagram.

📚 More from Forge on pandemic friendship:

The Language of Sexual Consent Is Perfect for Quarantine Hangs
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What To Do When You’re Out of Things To Talk About
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A Lot of Friendships Won’t Survive This
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